The Most Hon. Juliet Holness To Give Opening Remarks at Inaugural Louise Bennett-Coverley Festival

 

The Most Hon. Juliet Holness

This coming Heroes Weekend,  Jamaicans are invited to pay tribute to a beloved cultural icon at the inaugural staging of the Louise Bennett-Coverley Festival on Saturday, October 15, in the Miss Lou Square, Gordon Town, from 10:00 am- 4:00 p.m., under the theme "Fi wi lanwij, fi wi kolcha." 

The festival, organized by Professor Opal Palmer Adisa in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, JCDC, will celebrate Ms Lou who, at ‘yaad’ or abroad, researched, excavated and promoted our Jamaican folk culture. Ms Lou

Prof. Opal Palmer Adisa

was proud of our Jamaican identity and as such forged ahead the excitement around the use of our Nation Language embodied in her work and theatrical performances. She nationalized the Pantomime and was the first to host a children’s show on TV designed to allow our children to learn about their culture and feel proud to be Jamaican. It is only fitting that she be honoured with the same vigour and pride with which she represented us so gallantly for many decades. A poet, folklorist, actress, comic, stage and media  personality, Louise Bennett was the first black person to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, and the 2nd to host a show on the BBC.  

This festival is specifically created for the citizens of Jamaica to gather in peace and unity to celebrate a cultural icon and educate ourselves about Miss Lou’s life and works. Patrons will enjoy all day music by the legendary Merritone Sound System and performances from Jamaica's stalwarts in poetry, story-telling and other artistic offerings. Storytelling by Amina Blackwood Meeks; poetry offerings by Cherry Natural, Fabian Thomas, Davia Ellis, Sean C. Harris, Courtney “Little Miss Lou” Greaves; school performances and songs from Tania Hernandez from Canada will set a cultural tone along with DANZIC Dance Troupe, a dramatic presentation by students of Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts and The LTM Pantomime Company.  A Special Children’s Zone with creative activities will keep the children entertained. Farmers and craft vendors from Gordon Town and adjoining communities will also showcase their products.

The Objectives of the festival are: to ensure that Louise Bennett’s work is taught and preserved at home and throughout the Diaspora; that students of all ages conduct research on and perform Louise Bennett’s work; to encourage Jamaicans to actively preserve our cultural heritage through language, storytelling and folklore; and to provide a creative space where the contributors of the Anthology, 100+ Voices for Ms Lou  can share their poetry, essays and other work and do paid performances on an ongoing basis.

Proceeds of the festival are in aid of scholarships and grants for Louise Bennett-Coverley Primary School, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts - School of Drama and the non-profit organization Uncommon Arts

The festival will be  officially opened at 11 a.m. with remarks by Hon. Juliet Holness, MP and the Ministry of Culture, Gender,Entertanment and Sport.

Tickets for entry are Adults $2000 and Residents of Gordon Town and Children $500. 

Ring-Ding! Clap Yu Self and join us to celebrate Miss Lou, a true Jamaican hero on Heroes Weekend!!